HOSAB SPOILER

HOSAB SPOILERS

I'm definitely biased, because she's my favorite character, but after rereading House of Sky and Breath, I think that Hypaxia Enador, queen of the Valbaran witches, is going to have a big role to play in CC3.

First, aside from Aidas and maybe Jesiba, Hypaxia is the only character who can provide insight on what life was like before the Asteri, including what used to happen to the dead:

"Your tutors predate the Asteri's arrival?" Hypaxia narrowed her eyes in warning for Bryce to keep her voice down. "Yes. They were already long dead when the Northern Rift opened." "They remember a time before the Asteri -- when Parthos still stood?" Bryce ventured. "Yes. One of my tutors, Palania, taught mathematics and science at its academy. She was born in the city surrounding it, and died there, too. So did generations of her family." "The Asteri don't like people talking about these things. That humans accomplished so much before their arrival." "They are classic conquerers." Hypaxia gazed toward the Bone Quarter. "They have conquered even death in this world. Spirits that once rested peacefully are now herded into these...zones." (HOSAB, 599)

Hypaxia has lived in isolation and relative freedom, and so she's only had to gain kinds of information. Like many of the characters in Crescent City, she has not been forced to choose between close allegiance to the Asteri and the Ophion rebels. This means that while she can gain certain information, or potentially offer it, she hasn't yet had the opportunity.

Throughout House of Sky and Breath, Ruhn and Bryce both wonder if Hypaxia might be a rebel. Bryce even envisions her as a potential force against the Asteri in the event of her own death (778).

Though she's stood up to the Asteri, particularly when she removes Hunt's tattoo, we have no evidence that Hypaxia is currently a rebel (even if I'm personally hoping that's the case). In fact, given her position with her coven, and her relationship with Celestina, it's likely that Hypaxia has chosen to go along with the current way of things in exchange for relative peace and comfort.

However, I suspect that this will change in CC3 for three reasons:

Hypaxia is likely going to find out that Celestina betrayed Hunt, leading to his enslavement. She is too aware, in my opinion, to continue to choose her relationship over a status quo that actively harms her friends. This is going to be a compelling emotional arc that forces Hypaxia to navigate between love and duty and dreams. Also, I am ready for a sapphic romance between two women of color -- SJM, it's about time, so please make this great.

The Asteri are likely going to be shoring up their allegiances, which will lead Hypaxia to a show-down with her coven, who want a closer alliance with the Asteri (599). Now that she knows even more about the cost of the Asteri's rule, and its impact on her personally, it is likelier than ever that Hypaxia will move against them.

The dead are going to have a big role to play in the next book, as a source of wisdom and potentially as an army. As of now, Hypaxia is the only person we know who can contact them. (Sidenote: I know that Nesta has the Mask that can raise the dead, but since there's a character in Crescent City who can do it, I'm assuming that Hypaxia will be more involved in this series.)

Now, we know that necromancers are highly regulated (456), and Hypaxia has more reasons than most, like care for her peoples' lives, to stay inside of those regulations. But the Asteri clearly have some concerns about these powers.

Because, let's not forget this key point: Enadors, including Hypaxia, can raise the dead (568). We know that Bryce and company need armies. What if Hypaxia is able to raise the people of Parthos to come to her aid? What if she was able to provide an army greater than what even her fellow witches could provide?

I suspect that these developments will make Hypaxia, with her self-assurance and her quiet courage and her deep knowledge, into a central figure in the growing rebellion in Midgard. I think that they draw her into a closer orbit with Lidia, and to the restoration of their world.

But if for whatever reason, Hypaxia instead follows a path similar to Celestina's, choosing love and comfort over the larger cause, this is also a fascinating story. I think the latter option is unlikely based on what's been set up so far, not to mention the fact that this arc is too similar to Celestina's, but I do think it's worth noting that either path is compelling. This is a signal that a character has a lot of potential.

We haven't seen a lot of Hypaxia in Crescent City, and I wonder if this is because she's already so uniquely self-assured and competent that she would steal the show. However, I think SJM has been quietly setting up her story, giving her emotional stakes, important choices, and key powers that will put the witch-queen in the center of the action in CC3. I, for one, absolutely cannot wait.

the score by elle kennedy

You’re lucky I love you, babe. If any other girl had done this to me—” “You love me?” I blurt out.

Listen…it was one thing that Rowan and Aelin were able to read each other’s thoughts so well…it was another that Rhys and Feyre could actually speak to each other in their minds…but how in the flying fuck are Ruhn and Day having sex rn when they are in their mental world place??💀😭

Feyre my painting queen getting described as "lovely" by Bryce and everyone looking to her and Rhys for a cue because of their QUIET, GENTLE AUTHORITY 😭😭😭 im so excited to see them being bad bitches in the next cc

I DONT ECEB KNOW WHAT TO SAY

SARAHHHH

WHAT A FUCKING CLIFFHANGER I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS:

IF RHYS LOOKS LIKE RUHN DOES BRYCE LOOK LIKE RHYS LITTLE SISTER????

IS AMREN LIKE FURY?????

IS THE LAND THE SHIFTERS CAME FROM THE TOG WORLD AND DOES THAT MEAN THE ASTARI ARE VALG?????

HOUSE OF SKY AND BREATH CHARACTERS AS NEW GIRL QUOTES

I’m back again 😈😈

Sophie:

Hunt:

Ruhn:

Bryce:

Ithan: (and Syrinx)

Baxian:

Flynn:

Cormac:

Do we want more??

I’m re reading throne of glass and honestly we don’t talk about Nox Owen enough

enjoy some memes i made for the crave series

Fireheart

Just finished House of Sky and Breath. I'm just supposed to go to sleep after Sarah J. Maas broke me like that?...

Anyway, now seeking friends to discuss this with at length.